Accessible route to the Royal Burial Ground, Sutton Hoo
This hauntingly beautiful estate, with far-reaching views over the River Deben, is home to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time. Explore around the Royal Burial Ground and discover the incredible story of the ship burial of an Anglo-Saxon king and his treasured possessions.
Remember your membership card
You'll need access to Sutton Hoo to enjoy this walk so you should either bring a National Trust membership card or pay for entry. Why not make the most of the your visit by visiting the Sutton Hoo exhibition?
Total steps: 7
Total steps: 7
Start point
Sutton Hoo reception and car park, grid ref: TM290493
Step 1
From the visitor centre, walk through the courtyard and head towards Tranmer House, following the signposts to the Royal Burial Ground/Tranmer House.
Step 2
When you arrive at the front of Tranmer House walk round to the right-hand side of the building. From here take the path with the inset stone marked 'Walk in the footsteps of Anglo-Saxon Royalty'. Head through the metal gate. Where the path divides, take the left route that takes you near to the Gar Seat.
Step 3
Pause at the circular benches and admire the view over Rabbit Field and the Deben River valley on your right.
Step 4
Continue through the woods until you reach a gate. Go through the gate and cross the sandy track to the opposite side (beware of any passing farm vehicles), and through another gate. Please ensure you close the gates behind you.
Step 5
You are now in the Royal Burial Ground. The burial mounds themselves are roped off to protect them from being eroded by footsteps. You can walk around the roped-off perimeter to your left and exit through the gate at the far end to explore the viewing tower.
Step 6
The viewing tower offers an elevated perspective of the Royal Burial Ground to give a better understanding of the landscape context of the site. The first level is accessible, via a ramp, and gives a commanding perspective over the top of Mound 1, which contained the Great Ship Burial. Interpretation panels give details of the different mounds, whether they have been excavated, and what they contained. There are 81 steps to the top of the tower.
Step 7
Carefully cross back over the sandy track, through the gate, and head back towards the courtyard or rest for a while at the Gar Seat and enjoy views across Rabbit Field.
End point
Sutton Hoo reception and car park, Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3DJ. Grid ref: TM290493.
Trail map
More near here
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Kyson Hill and Kyson Point walk
A short walk through woodland, mudflats and upper estuarine ecosystems in this unique corner of the Suffolk coast.
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